Mark Cuban is one of the most active owners in the league. He might be getting long in the tooth, but his energy remains the same. Coming into the league as the youngest owner ever, Cuban has seen his team’s value skyrocket, as he sits pretty on the chair of the hit show “Shark Tank.”
Advertisement
While he dedicates a lot of time to being in front of the camera and juggling multiple companies, he always makes sure he visits his team’s games. Mark is one of those business owners who are hands-on but also know what he is doing. Bringing in Luka Doncic to replace his aging superstar, Dirk Nowitzki was a master stroke.
The team is gradually returning to championship form, but they were nowhere near it in 2002. They were about nine years away from winning their only championship. They came close a couple of times, only to falter at the last step.
2 years after buying the Mavs, the loss to the Atlanta Hawks stirred a young Cuban, and he took his frustration out on not the referee but head official Ed Rush. He said he was so incompetent that he couldn’t run a Dairy Queen. The Ice Cream Franchise took offense to that, calling him to work a shift at one of their outlets.
And he obliged, working on the morning shift. He was an instant hit at the store because word got out that he was working that day! A $5000 fine must have felt heavy in 2002, but he probably scoffs at that now. With a net worth greater than $4.6 Billion, Cuban can certainly look back at that fine and have a good laugh about it.
Mark Cuban reportedly tripled the sales of that franchise in one shift – He makes money wherever he goes
Dairy Queen had one good invention – The Blizzard. Unlike McDonald’s their ice cream machines work. But their food is not comparable. If it was just an ice cream customers wanted, people would much rather just get a scoop from Baskin Robins. If they wanted a cold drink, walk into a Seven11 and get a Slurpee.
Cuban coming in was a masterstroke for them. Unknowingly, he managed to increase sales, and the chain continues to do well today. Their food menu has expanded, although not many people still say, “Hey, I want a Burger, let’s go to Dairy Queen”.
What’s next for Dallas and Cuban?
After starting the season hot, Luka and the Mavs have cooled down. They’ve slumped down to 7th place, dangerously hovering above dropping into the play-in contention. Things can stil lchange, because Luka’s form hasn’t dipped. He’s still playing at the same elite level.
Will they win a title? Not really, considering last year’s performance. It took a superhuman Luka effort to get Mark Cuban’s team all the way to the conference finals, this time they may struggle even before that.
Also Read: Luka Doncic is Reminiscent of 2019 James Harden, as Mavericks Make Shot Selection History
